Perpetual Notion Machinehttp://www.wortfm.org/news-talk/news/ioby/perpetual-notion/
Listener Sponsored Community RadioTue, 14 Aug 2018 18:41:03 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8Perpetual Notion Machine is a look at contemporary scientific issues and discoveries in a way that is accessible, understandable and entertaining to the non-scientists of the listening community.Perpetual Notion MachinecleanPerpetual Notion Machinewebmaster@wortfm.orgwebmaster@wortfm.org (Perpetual Notion Machine)Back Porch Broadcasting, Inc.Listener Sponsored Community RadioPerpetual Notion Machinehttp://www.wortfm.org/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/Perpetual-Notion-Machine_avatar.jpghttp://www.wortfm.org/news-talk/news/ioby/perpetual-notion/
TV-GMadison, WIWeeklySpotted Owlshttps://www.wortfm.org/spotted-owls/
Thu, 26 Jul 2018 23:11:37 +0000https://www.wortfm.org/?p=188632https://www.wortfm.org/spotted-owls/#respondhttps://www.wortfm.org/spotted-owls/feed/0<p>In tonight’s episode of the Perpetual Notion Machine, PNM’s resident wildlife guru, Lincoln Tice, explores the nature and ecology of the Spotted owl. His guest is Gavin Jones, a Ph.D. candidate in UW-Madison’s forest and wildlife ecology. He specifically studies the California Spotted owl in the Sierra Nevada range. Spotted owls reside in old-growth forests […]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org/spotted-owls/">Spotted Owls</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org">WORT 89.9 FM</a>.</p>In tonight’s episode of the Perpetual Notion Machine, PNM’s resident wildlife guru, Lincoln Tice, explores the nature and ecology of the Spotted owl. His guest is Gavin Jones, a Ph.D. candidate in UW-Madison’s forest and wildlife ecology. He specifically studies the California Spotted owl in the Sierra Nevada range. Spotted owls reside in old-growth forests and have been on the endangered species list since the early 1990’s. Gavin’s research studies the causes of their decline and potential conservation strategies. There have been several causes of the decline, including extensive logging over the years. But one more recent cause is the extensive and widespread fires that have been occurring in California the last few years. Like grassland prairies in Wisconsin, Gavin mentions that small, isolated fires are good for forest habitat. These fires spur new growth and biodiversity. Gavin also provides a few reasons why these latest fires have been so intense.

]]>In tonight’s episode of the Perpetual Notion Machine, PNM’s resident wildlife guru, Lincoln Tice, explores the nature and ecology of the Spotted owl. His guest is Gavin Jones, a Ph.D. candidate in UW-Madison’s forest and wildlife ecology.Gavin Jones, a Ph.D. candidate in UW-Madison’s forest and wildlife ecology. He specifically studies the California Spotted owl in the Sierra Nevada range. Spotted owls reside in old-growth forests and have been on the endangered species list since the early 1990’s. Gavin’s research studies the causes of their decline and potential conservation strategies. There have been several causes of the decline, including extensive logging over the years. But one more recent cause is the extensive and widespread fires that have been occurring in California the last few years. Like grassland prairies in Wisconsin, Gavin mentions that small, isolated fires are good for forest habitat. These fires spur new growth and biodiversity. Gavin also provides a few reasons why these latest fires have been so intense.
Gavin does his research as part of the department’s Wildlife Ecology + Conservation Lab headed by Associate Professor Zach Peery.

Also, check out more information about Spotted owls at this Audubon website.]]>Perpetual Notion Machineclean29:11A Look at Meditationhttps://www.wortfm.org/a-look-at-meditation/
Thu, 19 Jul 2018 20:30:09 +0000https://www.wortfm.org/?p=188897https://www.wortfm.org/a-look-at-meditation/#respondhttps://www.wortfm.org/a-look-at-meditation/feed/0<p>For tonight’s episode, the Perpetual Notion Machine looks into the practice of meditation with Will Cushman. UW-Madison has been in the forefront of meditation research, primarily with the Dalai Lama, due to Richard Davidson and the Center for Healthy Minds. But tonight Will talks with Charles Raison, a meditation researcher and psychiatrist in several areas […]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org/a-look-at-meditation/">A Look at Meditation</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org">WORT 89.9 FM</a>.</p>For tonight’s episode, the Perpetual Notion Machine looks into the practice of meditation with Will Cushman. UW-Madison has been in the forefront of meditation research, primarily with the Dalai Lama, due to Richard Davidson and the Center for Healthy Minds. But tonight Will talks with Charles Raison, a meditation researcher and psychiatrist in several areas including the Schools of Human Ecology and Medicine and Public Health. He discusses some of the research and the findings, including that by Richard Davidson. Much of the results have been surprising and different, because, as Charles explains, there are different kinds and forms of meditation, each providing a different purpose. And as beneficial as meditation is, it is not for everybody.

If you are interested and curious about meditation, you’ve GOT to listen to this discussion!

]]>For tonight’s episode, the Perpetual Notion Machine looks into the practice of meditation with Will Cushman. UW-Madison has been in the forefront of meditation research, primarily with the Dalai Lama, due to Richard Davidson and the Center for Healthy ...Richard Davidson and the Center for Healthy Minds. But tonight Will talks with Charles Raison, a meditation researcher and psychiatrist in several areas including the Schools of Human Ecology and Medicine and Public Health. He discusses some of the research and the findings, including that by Richard Davidson. Much of the results have been surprising and different, because, as Charles explains, there are different kinds and forms of meditation, each providing a different purpose. And as beneficial as meditation is, it is not for everybody.
If you are interested and curious about meditation, you’ve GOT to listen to this discussion!]]>Perpetual Notion Machineclean28:24Academic Failure: Falling off the Shoulders of Giantshttps://www.wortfm.org/academic-failure-falling-off-the-shoulders-of-giants/
Thu, 12 Jul 2018 17:38:34 +0000https://www.wortfm.org/?p=186610https://www.wortfm.org/academic-failure-falling-off-the-shoulders-of-giants/#respondhttps://www.wortfm.org/academic-failure-falling-off-the-shoulders-of-giants/feed/0<p>It is said that if every experiment worked the first time, a graduate student could earn a PhD in under a year. However, we make the best of our mistakes and saddle up for a rough ride! Perpetual Notion Machine host Kelly Schwartz discusses the role that academic catastrophe plays in the lives of scientists. […]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org/academic-failure-falling-off-the-shoulders-of-giants/">Academic Failure: Falling off the Shoulders of Giants</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org">WORT 89.9 FM</a>.</p>It is said that if every experiment worked the first time, a graduate student could earn a PhD in under a year. However, we make the best of our mistakes and saddle up for a rough ride!

Perpetual Notion Machine host Kelly Schwartz discusses the role that academic catastrophe plays in the lives of scientists.

]]>It is said that if every experiment worked the first time, a graduate student could earn a PhD in under a year. However, we make the best of our mistakes and saddle up for a rough ride! Perpetual Notion Machine host Kelly Schwartz discusses the role th...
Perpetual Notion Machine host Kelly Schwartz discusses the role that academic catastrophe plays in the lives of scientists.
Guests: Joseph Knoedler and Noga Yaniv

Producer: Kelly Schwartz

Cover Photo: Kelly Schwartz

Engineer: David Harker

Musical Credits: Evan Pope; Patsy Cline; The Killers]]>Perpetual Notion MachinecleanCity of Fitchburg shows leadership on solar installationshttps://www.wortfm.org/city-of-fitchburg-shows-leadership-on-solar-installations/
Thu, 05 Jul 2018 21:09:22 +0000https://www.wortfm.org/?p=186848https://www.wortfm.org/city-of-fitchburg-shows-leadership-on-solar-installations/#respondhttps://www.wortfm.org/city-of-fitchburg-shows-leadership-on-solar-installations/feed/0<p>In 2017 Fitchburg installed 362 kw of solar power on City buildings including the library and fire station. Experts Erica Kleutmeier and Tony Hartmann from the City of Fitchburg talk about their solar projects and what it takes to make it happen in local government. Check out the live data about their solar power generation […]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org/city-of-fitchburg-shows-leadership-on-solar-installations/">City of Fitchburg shows leadership on solar installations</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org">WORT 89.9 FM</a>.</p>In 2017 Fitchburg installed 362 kw of solar power on City buildings including the library and fire station. Experts Erica Kleutmeier and Tony Hartmann from the City of Fitchburg talk about their solar projects and what it takes to make it happen in local government.

]]>In 2017 Fitchburg installed 362 kw of solar power on City buildings including the library and fire station. Experts Erica Kleutmeier and Tony Hartmann from the City of Fitchburg talk about their solar projects and what it takes to make it happen in lo...
Check out the live data about their solar power generation at https://www.fitchburgwi.gov/999/Solar-Panels.
The guests also discussed the Madison based Legacy Solar Coop. Legacy Solar provides opportunities for folks interested in investing locally in clean energy through solar bonds and other financial instruments.

]]>Perpetual Notion Machineclean33:15What Makes Soil Healthyhttps://www.wortfm.org/what-makes-soil-healthy/
Thu, 28 Jun 2018 22:03:45 +0000https://www.wortfm.org/?p=187444https://www.wortfm.org/what-makes-soil-healthy/#respondhttps://www.wortfm.org/what-makes-soil-healthy/feed/0<p>Tonight’s episode of the Perpetual Notion Machine looks into the radical notion of soil health. To some, soil might be just a “dirty” word. But new and extraordinary research at UW-Madison studies the simple and complex chemical processes breaking down organic matter that can contribute to soil health. PNM’er Kase Wheatley talks with two grad […]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org/what-makes-soil-healthy/">What Makes Soil Healthy</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org">WORT 89.9 FM</a>.</p>Tonight’s episode of the Perpetual Notion Machine looks into the radical notion of soil health. To some, soil might be just a “dirty” word. But new and extraordinary research at UW-Madison studies the simple and complex chemical processes breaking down organic matter that can contribute to soil health. PNM’er Kase Wheatley talks with two grad students and research assistants in agroecology, Alden Dirks and Greg Richardson. Alden talks about his interest in mycorrhizal fungi and its benefit to the soil. They both discuss how the carbon processes in the soil can keep the plants above ground thriving. Also, they discuss the impacts of climate change on soil health.

Alden is also President of the Madison Mycological Society. Check out their website.

]]>Tonight’s episode of the Perpetual Notion Machine looks into the radical notion of soil health. To some, soil might be just a “dirty” word. But new and extraordinary research at UW-Madison studies the simple and complex chemical processes breaking down...Alden Dirks and Greg Richardson. Alden talks about his interest in mycorrhizal fungi and its benefit to the soil. They both discuss how the carbon processes in the soil can keep the plants above ground thriving. Also, they discuss the impacts of climate change on soil health.
Alden is also President of the Madison Mycological Society. Check out their website.]]>Perpetual Notion Machineclean29:23The Night Sky With Jim Lattishttps://www.wortfm.org/the-night-sky-with-jim-lattis/
Thu, 14 Jun 2018 22:57:45 +0000https://www.wortfm.org/?p=183330https://www.wortfm.org/the-night-sky-with-jim-lattis/#respondhttps://www.wortfm.org/the-night-sky-with-jim-lattis/feed/0<p>Jim Lattis, director of the UW Space Place, has been a frequent guest on the Perpetual Notion Machine. How many times has it been? 20, 30 times? Maybe not that many, but he’s back on this special pledge drive edition of PNM. Jim talks with PNM’er Will Cushman about the things that will be happening […]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org/the-night-sky-with-jim-lattis/">The Night Sky With Jim Lattis</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org">WORT 89.9 FM</a>.</p>Jim Lattis, director of the UW Space Place, has been a frequent guest on the Perpetual Notion Machine. How many times has it been? 20, 30 times? Maybe not that many, but he’s back on this special pledge drive edition of PNM. Jim talks with PNM’er Will Cushman about the things that will be happening in the night sky this summer and fall. Did you know that four planets will be visible in the night sky at the same time? And the Perseid meteor shower will be happening again this year. And several planets will be aligned in “opposition.” To find out what “opposition” means and other heavenly goings-on, listen to the audio of the show above. And also, thanks to PNM’er Kelly Schwartz, who helped with pledge rapping.

Also, the Washburn Observatory on the UW-Madison campus has public viewing from their telescope at certain times of the week. For more information, go to Public Observing at Washburn.

And finally, the UW-Madison Astronomy Dept. also holds Universe in the Park around Madison and Wisconsin. Here’s a link for more information.

]]>Jim Lattis, director of the UW Space Place, has been a frequent guest on the Perpetual Notion Machine. How many times has it been? 20, 30 times? Maybe not that many, but he’s back on this special pledge drive edition of PNM.UW Space Place, has been a frequent guest on the Perpetual Notion Machine. How many times has it been? 20, 30 times? Maybe not that many, but he’s back on this special pledge drive edition of PNM. Jim talks with PNM’er Will Cushman about the things that will be happening in the night sky this summer and fall. Did you know that four planets will be visible in the night sky at the same time? And the Perseid meteor shower will be happening again this year. And several planets will be aligned in “opposition.” To find out what “opposition” means and other heavenly goings-on, listen to the audio of the show above. And also, thanks to PNM’er Kelly Schwartz, who helped with pledge rapping.
Also, the Washburn Observatory on the UW-Madison campus has public viewing from their telescope at certain times of the week. For more information, go to Public Observing at Washburn.
And finally, the UW-Madison Astronomy Dept. also holds Universe in the Park around Madison and Wisconsin. Here’s a link for more information.]]>Perpetual Notion Machineclean29:30City of Madison Solar Jobs Trainee Programhttps://www.wortfm.org/city-of-madison-solar-jobs-trainee-program/
Fri, 08 Jun 2018 02:09:13 +0000https://www.wortfm.org/?p=182712https://www.wortfm.org/city-of-madison-solar-jobs-trainee-program/#respondhttps://www.wortfm.org/city-of-madison-solar-jobs-trainee-program/feed/0<p>The City of Madison is in its 3rd year of the solar trainee installer program. The 2018 class of solar installers (Hattie, Valerie and Eric) stopped by the studio to talk about their experiences on the rooftops of Madison. Matt Parks and Will McMahon of the City of Madison Engineering Department explained that the City […]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org/city-of-madison-solar-jobs-trainee-program/">City of Madison Solar Jobs Trainee Program</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org">WORT 89.9 FM</a>.</p>The City of Madison is in its 3rd year of the solar trainee installer program. The 2018 class of solar installers (Hattie, Valerie and Eric) stopped by the studio to talk about their experiences on the rooftops of Madison. Matt Parks and Will McMahon of the City of Madison Engineering Department explained that the City plans to install 1 MW of solar on its own rooftops!

Check out the City of Madison’s solar projects at this link – you can see a map of all the projects and the power they generate.

]]>The City of Madison is in its 3rd year of the solar trainee installer program. The 2018 class of solar installers (Hattie, Valerie and Eric) stopped by the studio to talk about their experiences on the rooftops of Madison.
Check out the City of Madison’s solar projects at this link – you can see a map of all the projects and the power they generate.
There will be another opportunity to apply to be a City solar trainee next winter, but in the meantime you can sign up for training opportunities at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. And check out the Energy Fair June 15-17 in Custer WI – just outside of Stevens Point.

]]>Perpetual Notion Machineclean18:23Foraging, Wild Edibles, and the Arboretumhttps://www.wortfm.org/foraging-wild-edibles-and-the-arboretum/
Thu, 31 May 2018 23:08:05 +0000https://www.wortfm.org/?p=181804https://www.wortfm.org/foraging-wild-edibles-and-the-arboretum/#respondhttps://www.wortfm.org/foraging-wild-edibles-and-the-arboretum/feed/0<p>In this episode of the Perpetual Notion Machine, PNM’s hunter/gatherer Lincoln Tice explores the search for wild edibles, or in other words, foraging. With a little bit of education, anyone can find edible plants and fruits right from their own backyard or neighborhood. Lincoln’s guest is Kelly Schwartz, who just happens to also be a […]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org/foraging-wild-edibles-and-the-arboretum/">Foraging, Wild Edibles, and the Arboretum</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org">WORT 89.9 FM</a>.</p>In this episode of the Perpetual Notion Machine, PNM’s hunter/gatherer Lincoln Tice explores the search for wild edibles, or in other words, foraging. With a little bit of education, anyone can find edible plants and fruits right from their own backyard or neighborhood. Lincoln’s guest is Kelly Schwartz, who just happens to also be a PNM volunteer. Despite her advanced expertise in microbiology, she has extensive experience in foraging and wild edibles from an early age. She passes along a few general rules people need to know while they’re foraging. The most obvious one is to know the plants, be able to identify them, particularly the ones that are edible from the ones that aren’t. Kelly explains a few of the plants that are poisonous. Also, don’t take too many plants from that location. Be cognizant of the ecosystem where you are foraging. And Kelly mentions that the UW Arboretum is a good place for beginners to learn about foraging. However, harvesting edible plants and fruits in the Arboretum is forbidden.

]]>In this episode of the Perpetual Notion Machine, PNM’s hunter/gatherer Lincoln Tice explores the search for wild edibles, or in other words, foraging. With a little bit of education, anyone can find edible plants and fruits right from their own backyar...
For more information, check out the Wild Edibles website and the Edible Wild Food website.]]>Perpetual Notion Machineclean29:40On the Origins of Human Languagehttps://www.wortfm.org/on-the-origins-of-human-language/
Thu, 24 May 2018 12:00:33 +0000https://www.wortfm.org/?p=180672https://www.wortfm.org/on-the-origins-of-human-language/#respondhttps://www.wortfm.org/on-the-origins-of-human-language/feed/0<p>Deep in the tropical forests of Gombe National Park in Tanzania, chimpanzees wander in relative abundance, and Michael Johnson isn’t far behind. He follows chimpanzees through the treetops to capture the day-to-day sounds they use to communicate: howling, screeching and the infamous pant-hoot. He does all this in an effort to learn whether chimps have […]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org/on-the-origins-of-human-language/">On the Origins of Human Language</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org">WORT 89.9 FM</a>.</p>Deep in the tropical forests of Gombe National Park in Tanzania, chimpanzees wander in relative abundance, and Michael Johnson isn’t far behind. He follows chimpanzees through the treetops to capture the day-to-day sounds they use to communicate: howling, screeching and the infamous pant-hoot. He does all this in an effort to learn whether chimps have a language of their own and, ultimately, if there’s a connection to how human language first evolved.

Johnson is a professor of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the University of Minnesota and recently wrote about his work in The Conversation.

]]>Deep in the tropical forests of Gombe National Park in Tanzania, chimpanzees wander in relative abundance, and Michael Johnson isn’t far behind. He follows chimpanzees through the treetops to capture the day-to-day sounds they use to communicate: howli...
Johnson is a professor of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the University of Minnesota and recently wrote about his work in The Conversation.
Photo: Flickr, Zweer de Bruin (CC-BY-NC-ND)

Music: Movin on Up by Podington Bear (CC-BY-NC)]]>Perpetual Notion Machineclean28:36Kilauea Volcano Eruptionhttps://www.wortfm.org/kilauea-volcano-eruption/
Thu, 17 May 2018 21:03:15 +0000https://www.wortfm.org/?p=185491https://www.wortfm.org/kilauea-volcano-eruption/#respondhttps://www.wortfm.org/kilauea-volcano-eruption/feed/0<p>Kilauea volcano in Hawaii had a major eruption, and has continued intermittent small bursts ever since. So, for tonight’s episode, the Perpetual Notion Machine’s Will Cushman talks with Brad Singer, scientist in the fields of geology and geoscience. His major research centers on the historical geology of rocks, primarily those formed by the magma from […]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org/kilauea-volcano-eruption/">Kilauea Volcano Eruption</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.wortfm.org">WORT 89.9 FM</a>.</p>Kilauea volcano in Hawaii had a major eruption, and has continued intermittent small bursts ever since. So, for tonight’s episode, the Perpetual Notion Machine’s Will Cushman talks with Brad Singer, scientist in the fields of geology and geoscience. His major research centers on the historical geology of rocks, primarily those formed by the magma from the core of volcanoes. One process is the use of geochronology, which tests for certain geochemical compounds. Also, Brad discusses the unique nature of Kilauea, and the differences with other volcanoes like Mount St. Helens and the nearby, somewhat dormant, Mauna Loa. Brad hopes that his research, and that in volcanology, can some day find clues to predict when volcanoes will erupt.

For more information, many articles can be found online. But, here’s one from LiveScience.

]]>Kilauea volcano in Hawaii had a major eruption, and has continued intermittent small bursts ever since. So, for tonight’s episode, the Perpetual Notion Machine’s Will Cushman talks with Brad Singer, scientist in the fields of geology and geoscience.Brad Singer, scientist in the fields of geology and geoscience. His major research centers on the historical geology of rocks, primarily those formed by the magma from the core of volcanoes. One process is the use of geochronology, which tests for certain geochemical compounds. Also, Brad discusses the unique nature of Kilauea, and the differences with other volcanoes like Mount St. Helens and the nearby, somewhat dormant, Mauna Loa. Brad hopes that his research, and that in volcanology, can some day find clues to predict when volcanoes will erupt.
For more information, many articles can be found online. But, here’s one from LiveScience.]]>Perpetual Notion Machineclean29:20